Liam Winston's face was dark with fury.
A fire burned in his chest.
It consumed his rationality.
"Finish packing and get out."
The staff members froze at his sudden outburst before scrambling to work faster.
Someone muttered under their breath while loading the truck.
"Same Winston family, worlds apart."
Liam clenched his fists.
Chloe Evans wrapped her arm around his.
"Don't mind them, Liam."
Her voice dripped with saccharine sweetness.
"This will be our home now."
She couldn't care less about their petty gossip.
No matter how well Sophia Sullivan pretended to be dignified.
The future lady of the Winston family could only be Chloe Evans.
"Hmm."
Liam suppressed his anger and led Chloe upstairs.
His bedroom remained unchanged.
Except for the velvet box now sitting on his desk.
Their wedding ring.
Mr. Winston Sr. had rushed the wedding preparations back then.
Only this Chopard diamond ring had been available in time.
Liam had never worn it.
He'd even locked it away in the safe.
This was only the second time he'd seen the women's band.
The first had been on their wedding day.
A three-million-dollar ring.
Not even half the value of what he'd given Chloe.
But for Sophia, it had been a fortune.
Yet she'd left it behind.
Untouched.
Liam opened the walk-in closet.
Custom gowns for the lady of the house hung neatly in rows.
Jewelry glittered in velvet cases.
Limited-edition handbags lined the shelves.
All gifts he'd given out of obligation.
Or purchased by Mrs. Winston on his behalf.
Sophia had taken none of it.
Not even her personal belongings.
A clean break.
He should have felt relieved.
Instead, his chest tightened inexplicably.
Something vital was slipping away.
His hand pressed against his ribcage on instinct.
Thump-thump.
His heartbeat echoed hollowly in the empty cavity.
Anchorless.
"Don't dwell on it, Liam."
Chloe's voice was soothing.
"Even though Sophia took The Decagon invitation..."
"I found us another lead."
Sophia's pointed remarks that day had wounded her pride.
She refused to live in that woman's shadow.
"What lead?"
"Ethan Sullivan."
A calculating gleam flashed in Chloe's eyes.
"The Sullivan Group heir."
"He has close ties with Radiant Beauty Group."
"Rumor says he's been frequenting Potter's Town for pottery classes lately."
Liam considered this.
His fingers absently stroked Chloe's hair.
"You always think ahead."
This trip to Potter's Town would be his for the taking.